Latest news with #FahadYousef
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Deputy PM discusses security cooperation with ambassadors
KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah held separate meetings on Thursday with the ambassadors of the United States, India and Pakistan to discuss ways to enhance joint cooperation in security fields and to exchange views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest. According to a statement from the ministry of interior's general department of security relations and media, Sheikh Fahad discussed several joint security matters with US Ambassador to Kuwait Karen Sasahara, in addition to exploring avenues for bilateral cooperation in training and information exchange. Sheikh Fahad Yousef meets Indian Ambassador Dr Adarsh Swaika. KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah meets US Ambassador Karen Sasahara. Sheikh Fahad Yousef meets Pakistani Ambassador Dr Zafar Iqbal. The statement noted that during the meeting, Brig Gen Saud Mohammed Yousef Al-Sabah was honored in recognition of his efforts in supporting security cooperation between Kuwait and the United States, as well as his active contributions to the coordination efforts within the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Sasahara expressed her gratitude to Sheikh Fahad Yousef for the warm reception, praising the strong ties between the two friendly countries and affirming her country's commitment to further strengthening security and institutional cooperation with Kuwait. During his meeting with Indian Ambassador Dr Adarsh Swaika, Sheikh Fahad discussed ways to develop bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of security, crime prevention and expertise exchange. Swaika affirmed his country's interest in expanding the scope of security cooperation with Kuwait to serve shared interests. The statement added that in his meeting with Pakistani Ambassador Dr Zafar Iqbal, Sheikh Fahad discussed avenues of cooperation in the security field and exchanged views on major regional challenges and ways to address them. Dr Iqbal commended Kuwait's role in promoting security and stability and expressed his country's eagerness to strengthen its cooperation with Kuwait's ministry of interior. – KUNA
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kuwait's e-permit exit rule: Expat workers need employer's nod to fly out; how to obtain it?
Kuwait began enforcing a new electronic exit permit system for expatriate workers in the private sector, in a move that marks a major shift in the country's labour and travel policies. From July 1, 2025, all foreign employees under Article 18 of the Foreigners' Residence Law must obtain prior approval from their employer to travel abroad. The e-permit system, launched by the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM), is part of Kuwait's wider digital transformation and labour market reform agenda. Authorities said that the system has seen a strong early response, with more than 36,000 applications submitted within hours of launch, ET reported. Obtaining the permit Under the new rule, expatriate workers in the private sector must secure an electronic exit permit before travelling. The permit must be applied for via the Sahel Individuals mobile app and approved through the As-hal Companies portal. Employers or sponsors are required to review and approve the request through the As-hal Companies portal. Streamlining process The system runs 24/7, including weekends, for ease of access. According to the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM), the regulation is designed to streamline exit procedures, enhance transparency, and safeguard workers' rights. Day one of the system The outbound traffic at Kuwait International Airport remained smooth on the first day of the new exit permit rule. The first flight under the regulation, an Air India service to India, departed at 12:45 am without any delays, followed closely by another India-bound flight. Authorities, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the ministry of interior, and several airlines, worked in coordination to ensure seamless airport operations. Despite the busy summer travel period, the new rule did not cause any disruptions or delays for departing passengers. Airlines alerting passengers Airlines have started issuing advisories, warning expatriate travellers on work visas that flight bookings will be cancelled if the mandatory exit permit is missing at check-in. In such cases, no refunds or alternate bookings will be offered, as per ET. Passengers are being urged to confirm the following before heading to the airport: Valid passport Valid visa Employer-approved electronic exit permit The regulation aligns Kuwait with Gulf neighbours like Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain, which already operate similar systems, as per AFP. The new regulation also strengthened the existing sponsorship-based residency system, where employers hold significant control over various aspects of a foreign worker's legal status. It was introduced via a ministerial directive issued by first deputy prime minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef. The e-permit system comes amid a wave of new immigration laws passed in late 2024, which include tighter penalties for violations, contract limits, and a ban on deducting administrative fees from salaries. Kuwait has also raised the minimum salary requirement for sponsoring family visas to KD 800 per month. Although the exit permit system is intended to promote more organised labour market management, some human rights groups have expressed concerns that it could further tighten employer control and restrict workers' freedom of movement. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Daily Tribune
12-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Kuwait mandates employer okay for foreign staff to leave
Kuwait is to require foreigners working in the private sector to obtain their employer's permission before leaving the country, authorities said yesterday, adding further restrictions on workers bound by the kafala sponsorship system. First Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef issued a ministerial circular 'requiring expatriate workers in the private sector to obtain an 'exit permit' from their registered employer before leaving the country,' the Public Authority of Manpower said in a statement on its X account. The procedure, which can be done online, aims to 'strengthen oversight of the movement of expatriate workers and ensure a balance between the workers' and employers' rights', the statement added. The new requirement will take effect from July 1. Saudi Arabia has similar restrictions on expatriate workers, who are required to obtain exit and re-entry permits from their sponsor to leave and re-enter the country. Starting in 2017, Qatar made a series of reforms to its employment regulations after being selected to host the 2022 World Cup. In 2018, Doha began allowing most foreigner workers to leave the country without their employer's authorisation, extending the new procedure to domestic staff two years later.
Daily Tribune
11-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Kuwait to mandate exit approval from employers for expat workers
Kuwait is to require foreigners working in the private sector to obtain their employer's permission before leaving the country, authorities said Wednesday, adding further restrictions on workers bound by the kafala sponsorship system. Human rights groups have long criticised the kafala system, which is widely prevalent in the oil-rich Gulf states and ties migrant workers' visas to their employers, often preventing them from changing jobs or sometimes leaving the country. First Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef issued a ministerial circular "requiring expatriate workers in the private sector to obtain an 'exit permit' from their registered employer before leaving the country," the Public Authority of Manpower said in a statement on its X account. The procedure, which can be done online, aims to "strengthen oversight of the movement of expatriate workers and ensure a balance between the workers' and employers' rights", the statement added. The new requirement will take effect from July 1. Saudi Arabia has similar restrictions on expatriate workers, who are required to obtain exit and re-entry permits from their sponsor to leave and re-enter the country. Starting in 2017, Qatar made a series of reforms to its employment regulations after being selected to host the 2022 World Cup. In 2018, Doha began allowing most foreigner workers to leave the country without their employer's authorisation, extending the new procedure to domestic staff two years later. In the United Arab Emirates, employers do not have the right to confiscate employees' passports or prevent them from leaving the country.
Mint
11-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Kuwait: From July expats will need to take employer's nod before leaving nation
Kuwait is to require foreigners working in the private sector to obtain their employer's permission before leaving the country, authorities said Wednesday, adding further restrictions on workers bound by the kafala sponsorship system. Human rights groups have long criticised the kafala system, which is widely prevalent in the oil-rich Gulf states and ties migrant workers' visas to their employers, often preventing them from changing jobs or sometimes leaving the country. First Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef issued a ministerial circular "requiring expatriate workers in the private sector to obtain an 'exit permit' from their registered employer before leaving the country," the Public Authority of Manpower said in a statement on its X account. The procedure, which can be done online, aims to "strengthen oversight of the movement of expatriate workers and ensure a balance between the workers' and employers' rights", the statement added. The new requirement will take effect from July 1. Saudi Arabia has similar restrictions on expatriate workers, who are required to obtain exit and re-entry permits from their sponsor to leave and re-enter the country. Starting in 2017, Qatar made a series of reforms to its employment regulations after being selected to host the 2022 World Cup. In 2018, Doha began allowing most foreigner workers to leave the country without their employer's authorisation, extending the new procedure to domestic staff two years later. In the United Arab Emirates, employers do not have the right to confiscate employees' passports or prevent them from leaving the country.
